She has dismissed an assertion by the foreign secretary, David Miliband, that there was no deal to secure Moore's release.

Dennis McMenemy, the father of Alan McMenemy – whose body has still not been returned – accused the Foreign Office of "deceit, lies and cover-up" over the kidnappers' links to Iran.

Iraq government officials have told the Guardian that McMenemy's body is likely to be handed over once the Iraqi authorities free the Shia cleric Qais al-Khazali, whose transfer from American to Iraqi custody was the key to Moore's release.

The delivery of McMenemy's remains will bring to an end the longest hostage-taking involving British nationals in more than 20 years.